Training apparatus for a pitcher

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a training apparatus for underhand pitching, the apparatus including a support frame including at least one leg portion configured to support at least one bar portion, and at least one flap suspended from the at least one bar portion.

FILED

The disclosure relates generally to a training device for a pitcher, and more particularly to a training device for a pitcher pitching underhand.

BACKGROUND

A major component of successful pitching in both baseball and softball consists of an ability of a pitcher to develop a repeatable and consistent pitching motion that leads to proper body form and proper release of a pitched ball. Accordingly, a training device configured to assist a pitcher in developing a repeatable and consistent motion with proper form and release would be desirable.

SUMMARY

Disclosed is a training apparatus for underhand pitching, the apparatus including a support frame including at least one leg portion configured to support at least one bar portion, and at least one flap suspended from the at least one bar portion.

Also disclosed is a training apparatus for a pitcher pitching underhand, wherein the apparatus includes a support frame including at least one leg portion configured to support at least one bar portion, and at least one flap suspended from the at least one bar portion at a height configured to contact or be disposed proximately at least the face of the pitcher when the pitcher is executing a pitching motion, and contact a hand of the pitcher at a position above the face of the pitcher when the pitcher is executing the pitching motion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present invention should be more fully understood from the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments taken in conjuncture with the accompanying Figures in which like elements are numbered alike in the several Figures:

FIG. 1 is a schematic elevation view of a training apparatus in accordance with an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of an exemplary version of the training apparatus shown schematically in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the exemplary version of the training apparatus shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a side perspective view of a pitcher using the exemplary version of the training apparatus shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is another side perspective view of a pitcher using the exemplary version of the training apparatus shown in FIG. 2; and

FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of a pitcher using the exemplary version of the training apparatus shown in FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 1-6, a training apparatus 10 for a softball pitcher (such as pitcher 12) throwing an underhand pitch is illustrated. In an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus 10 includes a support frame 14 with two leg portions 16 a, 16 b that support a cross bar portion 18. A first flap 22 and a second flap 24 are suspended from the bar portion 18 in a direction of the surface 20 upon which the frame 14 is disposed.

As shown in the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 1-6, the first flap 22 is offset from the second flap 24 and includes a greater length than the second flap 24. This allows the first flap 22 to terminate at a greater distance from the surface 20 than the second flap 24. It should be noted however, that the apparatus may include a single flap of varying or uniform height, or two flaps of varying or uniform height, provided the flap or flaps extend from the bar portion 18 at a height (or distance from the surface 20) that would allow the face of the pitcher 12 to contact or be proximate a portion of the flap while executing a pitching motion, and also allow a hand of the pitcher to contact the flap at an opposite side thereof while executing the same pitching motion. This contact will be described in greater detail with reference to the exemplary embodiment of the apparatus 10 as shown in FIGS. 4-6, wherein the pitching motion may be defined as any underhand pitching motion such as but not limited to the standard underhand pitching motions employed by fast pitch and slow pitch softball pitchers.

As is best shown in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1, the two leg portions 16 a, 16 b are vertical leg portions, and the bar portion 18 is a horizontal bar portion that extends at a 90 degree angel between the two leg portions 16 a, 16 b. However, it should be noted that the frame 14 may include any number of leg portions (including a single leg portion) and any number of bar portions disposed at any angle to the leg portion(s), provided the leg portion(s) and bar portions(s) combine to allow the flap or flaps to extend from the bar portion at the height discussed above. For ease of description however, the flaps will be discussed hereinbelow with reference to the exemplary two flap configuration shown in the Figures.

In addition, and as is best shown in FIG. 1, the frame portion 14 may be constructed in a modular fashion. That is, the frame 14 may be configured in pieces for convenient assembly and disassembly. As shown in FIG. 1, such modularity may be achieved by constructing the frame to include two separable and associable bar portion pieces 26 a, 26 b, that are themselves separable from and associable to the leg portions 16 a, 16 b. Separable association of the various sections shown in the Figures may be achieved via any known means for assembling metal or plastic poles and bars, such as but not limited to internal rods 27 and mechanical affixing devices 28, such as spring loaded pins, threaded instruments, and dowel/peg systems.

As shown in the Figures, intermediate portions 30 a, 30 b may also be disposed between the bar pieces 26 a, 26 b and leg portions 16 a, 16 b, and separable and associable therewith. These intermediate pieces may be added (with more than two being associated with both legs) and taken away from the frame 14 to assist in adjusting the height of the bar 18 and flaps 22, 24 that extend therefrom. In addition, height of the bar portion 18 and flaps may be adjusted via extendibility of the leg portions 16 a, 16 b, which may be achieved via any known means for extending metal or plastic poles, such as but not limited to a telescoping configuration. Height adjustability of the bar portion 18 and/or flaps 22, 24 is desirable in that it allows the apparatus 10 to be configured for use with pitchers of varying height.

Referring now to the flaps 22 and 24 hanging from the bar portion 18, it should be noted that these flaps may be suspended from the bar portion 18 via any known strap configuration (such as strap 32), such as but not limited to straps that are looped and affixable via snaps, buttons, buckles, and hoop and loop material. Such strap configurations allow the straps 32 to be positioned in any desirable position along the bar portion 18, with the second flap 24 being positionable on either side of the first flap 22 to allow for convenient adjustability between right handed and left handed pitching configurations. In addition, and as shown in the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 1-6, the first flap 22 (or portion of a single flap in a single flap configuration such as that discussed above) may be transparent so as to allow the pitcher 12 to see a target when the face of the pitcher is disposed behind the first flap 22. The usefulness of this transparency is best illustrated in FIGS. 4-6.

With continued reference to FIGS. 4-6, it is noted that the first flap 22 and second flap 24 are spaced along the bar portion 18 such that the first flap 22 is vertically alignable with a face of a pitcher 12, while the second flap 24 is vertically alignable with a shoulder of the pitcher 24. When the pitcher 12 is in a ball-release stage of her pitching motion, such as the stage shown in FIG. 4, the pitcher's face and torso area come into contact with (or close proximity to) the first flap 22. As the ball is released and the pitching motion progresses towards a follow through stage, such as the stage shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the pitching hand of the pitcher will come into contact with the second flap 24 if the pitcher 12 has properly followed through with her pitch. In this manner, the displacement and heights of the flaps 22, 24 provide guidance to the pitcher with regards to proper follow through and pitching motion. This activity thereby assists a pitcher in developing a proper and repeatable pitching motion/delivery. Of course, and as is mentioned above the apparatus 10 may include a single flap of varying or uniform height, or two flaps of varying or uniform height, provided the flap or flaps extend from the bar portion 18 at a height (or distance from the surface 20) that would allow the face of the pitcher 12 to contact or be proximate a portion of the flap while executing a pitching motion, and also allow a hand of the pitcher to contact the flap at an opposite side thereof while executing the same pitching motion.

It should be noted that the frame 14 apparatus 10 may be variously constructed of any know material, such as but not limited to metal, plastic, fiber-glass etc. In addition, the flaps 22, and 24 may be constructed of any known material, such as but not limited to rubber, plastic, glass, or composite material.

While the invention has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or substance to the teachings of the invention without departing from the scope thereof. Therefore, it is important that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the apportioned claims. Moreover, unless specifically stated any use of the terms first, second, etc. do not denote any order or importance, but rather the terms first, second, etc. are used to distinguish one element from another. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A training apparatus for underhand pitching, the apparatus comprising: a support frame including at least one leg portion configured to support at least one bar portion; and at least one flap suspended from said at least one bar portion.
 2. The training apparatus of claim 1, wherein said at least one flap is a first flap suspended from said at least one bar portion and a second flap suspended from said at least one bar portion, wherein said first flap offset from said second flap.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said at least one flap is a first flap suspended from said at least one bar portion and a second flap suspended from said at least one bar portion, and wherein said first flap includes a greater length than said second flap.
 4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one leg portion is two substantially vertical leg portions, and said at least one bar portion is a substantially horizontal bar portion, said substantially horizontal bar portion extending between said two substantially vertical leg portions.
 5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said support frame includes modular sections.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of said at least one bar portion and said at least one flap is height adjustable relative to a surface upon which said support frame is disposed.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said at least one leg portion is extendable.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of said at least one flap is transparent.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said at least one flap is a first flap suspended from said at least one bar portion and a second flap suspended from said at least one bar portion, and wherein said first flap is transparent.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said at least one flap is a first flap suspended from said at least one bar portion and a second flap suspended from said at least one bar portion, and wherein said first flap and said second flap are removable from said at least one bar, and positionable along any desirable position along said at least one bar portion.
 11. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said second flap is positionable upon said at least one bar portion at opposing sides of said first flap.
 12. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said first flap and said second flap are spaced along said at least one bar portion such that said first flap is vertically alignable with a face of a pitcher while said second flap is vertically alignable with a shoulder of the pitcher.
 13. A training apparatus for a pitcher pitching underhand, the apparatus comprising: a support frame including at least one leg portion configured to support at least one bar portion; at least one flap suspended from said at least one bar portion at a height configured to contact or be disposed proximately at least the face of said pitcher when the pitcher is executing a pitching motion, and contact a hand of the pitcher at a position above the face of the pitcher when the pitcher is executing the pitching motion.
 14. The training apparatus of claim 13, wherein said at least one flap is a first flap suspended from said at least one bar portion and a second flap suspended from said at least one bar portion, wherein said first flap portion is suspended from said at least one bar portion at a height configured to contact or be disposed proximately at least the face of said pitcher when the pitcher is executing a pitching motion, and said second flap portion is suspended at a height configured to contact a hand the pitcher at a position above the face of the pitcher when the pitcher is executing the pitching motion. 